The Chargers' loss last night to the Pats helped the Texans quite a bit. Also helping is that the Chargers have a tough remaining schedule: vs. DEN, @ SF, @ KC. Seems plausible there might be two losses in there.
The Texans have the Ravens in two weeks, and I think winning that one is more critical than even beating the Colts. Ravens remaining schedule: vs. JAX, @ HOU, vs. CLE. Would be awesome if the Browns or Jags could win in Baltimore, but those could be tall orders.
The Steelers remaining schedule: @ ATL, vs. KC, vs. CIN. I could see Pittsburgh winning out with this lineup.
The Bengals remaining schedule: @ CLE, vs. DEN, @ PIT. If the Browns can beat them next Sunday (Johnny Football fever?), then the Bengals could free-fall out of the playoffs.
Need to keep KC in this picture. They are in if they win out. Remaining schedule: vs. OAK, @ PIT, vs. SD.
So maybe the Bengals get bounced here along with the Chargers. The Steelers win their division, and the Ravens get the other wild card along with the Texans.
That would set up a road trip for the Texans to Pittsburgh with a shot at redeeming themselves for the loss earlier this season. As the 6th seed, should they win, they'd play the team with home field next, likely the Patriots at this point... an interesting master/apprentice match between Belichick and O'Brien. I think the Texans stand a better chance of beating the Patriots than the Broncos on the road.
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